Meet the Team
Kyle Ellen Nuse | Director of development
Kyle (she/her) is a community activist who grew up around artists from all over the world at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont.
At Marlboro College Kyle studied International Studies and Performing Arts with a concentration in traditional Afro-Brazilian dance and modern racism in Salvador, Brazil. After graduating and traveling extensively to every corner, Kyle landed in NYC where she had a private Ayurvedic Nutrition and Postpartum Doula practice for over a decade.
In 2014, Kyle and her visual artist husband, bought the Studio Store and opened Minėmå Gallery (2020) in her hometown and have loved nothing more than connecting and building their community through the arts.
Kyle spends her free time “coaching” the kindergarten basketball team, demonstrating for racial and social justice, planting flowers/ hanging murals around town, and having living room dance parties with her two daughters, Olive and Pepper.
Elena Reingard | Program manager
Elena’s world has always been shaped by creativity. Growing up in a family of interior designers, she developed an early passion for art and design, which led her to study fine arts in art school and earn a degree from the architecture department at Siberian Federal University. Even while working as a civil engineer, her artistic spirit thrived—traveling, exploring museums and exhibitions, and immersing herself in creative projects.
During one of her trips, she met her future husband, which eventually caused her to move across the globe and settle in Vermont.
After relocating, Elena expanded her skill set by becoming a web designer. She also participated in organizing after-school programs, children's camps, and designing and conducting art programs for children.
Despite having limited free time as a mother of two energetic and joyful sons, Elena finds delight in creating collages, painting, photographing, and writing. She loves sharing her passion for the creative process with her children, fostering their artistic interests together.
JONAH RABINOWITZ | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ExecutiveDirector@RiverArtsVT.org
Before joining River Arts in January 2025, Jonah spent nearly thirty years as executive director at the W.O. Smith/Nashville Community Music School in Nashville, Tennessee, providing high-quality music education to children from underserved communities. His work there helped shape a lasting legacy of access, creativity, and community empowerment through the arts.
Jonah attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance while studying with Charles Schleuter, principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His performing career included positions with the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Atlanta Opera, and performances and recordings with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Jonah was the recipient of the 2011 Edwina Hefner Community Leadership Award from the Nashville Symphony and the 2011 Governor’s Arts Award for Leadership from TN Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Jonah and his wife Carole are enjoying getting to know their new home in Vermont while walking their dog, Charlie.
Board of TRUSTEES
